Motorcyclist Seriously Injured in Ventura Car Accident

By John Bisnar

Nathaniel McClain, 25, was severely injured in a Ventura car accident after a car turned in front of his motorcycle. According to a news report in The Ventura County Star, the motorcycle accident occurred on Highway 33, near Mahoney Avenue, in Oak View, the morning of August 31, 2011. McClain was riding his motorcycle in the southbound lane of the highway, when Kay Robey, 69, made a left turn in front of the motorcyclist. McClain attempted to avoid a collision, but ended up striking the right rear end of Robey’s vehicle. McClain was thrown off his motorcycle in the accident. He was transported to a local hospital with spinal injuries and possible broken ribs. Robey was uninjured. An investigation is ongoing.
My thoughts and prayers are with Nathaniel McClain following this Ventura County motorcycle accident. I wish him the very best for a complete and quick recovery.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), eight people were killed and 80 were injured due to motorcycle accidents in the unincorporated areas of Ventura County. During that same year, 13 fatalities and 192 injuries occurred involving Ventura County motorcycle accidents.

The Law Relating to Left Turns

It appears from this report that the car’s driver, Robey, turned left in front of the motorcycle without yielding right-of-way. California Vehicle Code Section 21801 (a) states: “The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left or to complete a U-turn upon a highway, or to turn left into public or private property, or an alley, shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching from the opposite direction which are close enough to constitute a hazard at any time during the turning movement, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to the approaching vehicles until the left turn or U-turn can be made with reasonable safety.”

Liability Issues

If the driver is determined to have been at fault here, then, she can be held liable for the motorcyclist’s serious injuries. Injured victims in such cases can seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation, and other related damages. Victims would be well-advised to contact an experienced California motorcycle accident lawyer, who will analyze all aspects of the incident and ensure that the negligent parties are held liable.

Disclaimer: Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys provides the California Injury Blog as a public service for general information only. It is not a substitute for legal advice. No person should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information contained in this blog. The material on this blog is not intended as legal advice and is not a substitute for a consultation with an attorney. The best personal injury law firms offer free consultations. Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys and all contributing authors expressly disclaim all liability to any person with respect to the contents of this website, and with respect to any act or failure to act made on reliance on any material contained herein.